re: Least expensive method to bury someone

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Basically what I'm asking is what is the least expensive way to handle it while maintaining some dignity. I'm thinking cremation and a small service in an extended family member's home. Does that sound correct?

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My wife died three years ago. She wanted cremation. It cost $495 and included one official death certificate. I bought nine more at $8 a piece if I remember right. So all in for under $600. I'm sure costs have risen post Covid though. I also didn't need that many certificates. When I settled her estate everybody took a copy except the life insurance policy.

We had a "celebration of life" party at a restaurant that included our closest friends and family. I picked up the bill for all. Around $1k for that. It was a great time of just hanging out with those closest to us. Laughing over cocktails just remembering the joy she gave us.

She had access to a family tomb in NO but she didn't want that. She didn't want the whole burial thing. It made her mother upset but she and I discussed it before she passed and that is what she wanted. I bought an LSU purple urn from Amazon and it sits on a shelf. She said to spend the typical funeral costs on a fun trip and spread her somewhere nice.

Bottom line is, if you can get her wishes including y'alls daughter, and not worry about traditional customs and what other people would do/wish.

My in laws are the type that wouldn't do a funeral.

When my brother-in-law passed, they contacted a local funeral home and just laid it out...no funeral or viewing wanted.

They simply picked up the body, had it cremated and the family picked the ashes up.

The idea was to have a small family gathering (which did not happen) and have a private memorial service.

The last legal thing is the burial or cremation permit, so if the body is cremated, there is no specific law telling you what you have to do with the ashes.

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My ex wife and the mother of my daughter is in intensive care and conceivably could pass away. She put me as the emergency contact. She doesn't have any immediate family left to take care of things

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Sorry to hear that.. Everyone needs someone. You're a good dude for handling this.

If you bury her within 24 hours, no embalming necessary.

I really don't understand the point of burials.

Waste of money, takes up useful land that could be parks and after the first generation that knew the person is gone, no one remembers or visits.

The exception would be places like Arlington, etc. But I don't even think then burying bodies is necessary. There could be memorials without actually putting people in a hole in the ground.

Go visit her and ask if she wants to be buried or cremated. Honor her wishes as economically as possible. It will probably mean something to your daughter.

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My ex wife and the mother of my daughter is in intensive care and conceivably could pass away.

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Pics???

Barrel concrete Basin

When I’m dead, just throw me in the trash.